"Fine but when I get back we're talking about this," Chris grumbled before heading off with doc.

I drop my head to hide the grimice of pain. I can't talk about it. Doesn't he understand the difference between can't and don't want to? Every time he presses a new knott of pain hits my gut.

"Come on Jess, let's get you up," Jude says, his blue eyes sparking with concern as he helps me up from the floor.

"I'm so sorry Jude, I don't-"

"Shhh," he cuts me off wrapping me in a hug. "It's ok, we don't have to talk about it."

I relax a bit in his protective embrace before pulling away. The blood on my shirt bothers me, not just blood, Chris's blood, I did that...

"I'm gonna go clean up," I say and turn to head upstairs. I sigh as I hear Jace and Jude follow me but doubt they would listen to me if I asked them to go.

"Um, I'm going to grab a quick shower," I say pausing at the bedroom door. Both guys shift uncomfortably but don't head back down. I sigh but lock the door before shrugging the bloodied clothes off.

'You need to go.' 'Yeah cause Chris is really going to go for that!' 'When have you ever asked for permission before?' 'Fuck...'

After a quick shower I slip on some dark bootcut jeans, boots, tank top and leather jacket. If I can take his bike, I can get some space and figure out my next move.

My eyes land on the plain manilla envelope Derek left me when he took off like the ass he is. I opened it and took the phone out; there was a simple necklace with what looked like a Guardian crest, but slightly different, and a wad of money. The note was simple and said 'just in case.'

I took the contents and left my cell and keys on the dresser. I know I have to go but the guilt is already eating me up.

'It's now or never, stop stalling.' 'Fine, I'm going.'

A knock at the door tells me times up. My eyes land on the window and in an instant it's open and my feet are on the roof below. It's a quick trip across the back porch roof before I drop down at the back door of the garage.

I slip in and flick on the lights. Any other day I'd marvel at the selection of vehicles. Black ram truck, red charger, Cadillac SUV and so many more I have yet to drive. But the Indian motorcycle at the far end closest to the door was my goal.

I flick the button to open the garage door and my eyes land on the bike and more importantly the man sitting on it. Jace.

"Going somewhere elf?" He asks, his tone is playful but his grey eyes are hard.

'He's pissed.' 'Shut it peanut gallery, let me think.'

I can feel we aren't alone, I was too distracted when I first came in or I would have picked up on the other two men. First I spot Xavier in the charger and Jude is in the pick up. I just glare at him, somehow I know it was him that figured it out.

New plan, I slowly walk up to Chris's bike, eyes locked on Jace. "Get off," I demand.

He narrows his eyes at me as he leans in staring down at me. He's considerably taller then me, well into 6'+; when you're 5'3" everyone's taller then you.

"No," he grits out. "If you want to go somewhere we'll take you, you're not going to start this running shit again." All lightness has left his tone and his eyes have hardend.

"I'm not your problem," I snap as I shove him back. He doesn't notice that I snagged the key from the ignition when I stepped back.

"Jess, you know that's not what I meant," he says softer. I see Xavier get out and make his way to the garage door opener button. A click tells me in a moment I'm out of time sending my anxiety into over drive. I need to go now or I'm trapped.

In an instant I was on Jace's bike, kicking it to life and peeling out the closing door. By this point my hearts pounding and the looks on their faces have my guts twisting in guilt.

"Jess!" I hear Chris roar and I instantly slow and turn to look at him. Guilt and shame grip me as I see the confusion and betrayal in his eyes.

I turn back and speed off leaving him fuming in the rearview. I don't have time to dwell on it as wolves break out of the woods on both sides of the road.

I kick it up into the highest gear as I leave them all behind. They were ours I know but they wouldn't risk tackling me and hurting me.

I finally stop after an hour to take a break and figure out my next move. Fuck Derek! This is all his fault! I have to talk to him but I haven't seen or heard from him since that day in the hospital.

I groan as the pain in my gut comes again, doubling me over till it passes. The night is quiet and dark, the moon is high but just a sliver of a crescent.

I pull out the phone and start flipping through it. Princess is written in the background and I grumble at the pet name that I know he knows, pisses me off. There are four contacts saved. Chris, Derek, Mack and Dex.

Automatically I call Derek, it's him I'm after anyways. Of course no answer. I call four more times, nothing. Bzz text message.

Derek: what princess?

Me: answer your fucking phone!

Derek: no

This mf is going to cause me a stroke!!!

Me: it's important Derek, I need to talk to you.

Derek: I'm busy, you just need to keep quiet, phones going off, sleep well princess.

Im not sure if I've ever been this angry before. I can feel my pulse pounding and my face is on fire even in the cool nights air.

I flip to Mack.

"H-hello?" She answers groggily. Shit, it's late and I woke her up.

"Sorry Mack, I didn't mean to wake you," I trailed off.

"Jess? Are you ok?" Her concern is clear as she wakes up.

"Yeah, I'm ok, but where's Derek?" I ask.

"Um, I'm not sure, have you called him?" Her tone is guarded.

"Of course I tried him first," I snapped. "He's dodging me like he has since the day he left."

A long pause, she knows something.

"Mack, where is he?" I plead hoping to get through to her. "Please Mack, it's important, only he can help me now," I trail off desperately.

"Jess what's wrong?" The knot in my stomach tightens at her question.

"Please Mack, I can't," I grit out.

"I'll text you an address, I'll meet you there-"

"You don't have to, I just have to deal with Derek," I deflect.

"With that stubborn ass you may need help. I'll be there as soon as I can. Did he leave you a crest?" She asks.

"There was a necklace?" I mentioned.

"Wear it, if anyone causes you issues show it to them." As always her serious tone leaves no room to question.

"I'm guessing you're alone?" I pause, not wanting to lie but also not wanting to get in shit from her too.

"Jess," she sighs. "Stop at Smith Falls, there will be a Guardian waiting for you there to escort you the rest of the way. This is my condition to give you the address."

"Fine," I concede, it's not like you can play hard ball with a Guardian. "Looks like I'll be there in about an hour."

"Be careful Jess," she says softly.

"Will do, thanks Mack," I say sincerely as I hang up. Smith Falls here I come I think as I kick the bike back to life.

-----

I pull into Smith Falls a bit after three am, and follow the gps to a 24 hour diner. I park the bike and streach my legs. Sure it's fast like a bat out of hell but it's no where near as nice of a ride as Chris's bike is. Another pang of guilt hits me as I remember the look of betrayal as I sped off.

'It'll be ok, he'll understand, you just need to get to Derek first.' 'I hope so, but he looked so hurt and angry...'

The diner had a retro feel with black and white checker theme and red seating. A waitress greeted me warmly in her vintage yellow uniform as she gestured for me to sit.

"I'm here to meet a friend," I said, noticing the only other person was a middle aged man. He didn't feel right for a Guardian, so I took a seat at the counter.

"Coffee?" She asks.

"No thanks, just some water is fine, maybe some peanutbutter toast?" I ask, probably should eat something considering I have a long drive ahead.

"Coming right up hun," she says with a smile setting the water down.

"What's a pretty young thing like you, doing out alone on a night like this?" A man asked sitting down next to me. He didn't feel particularly bad, just a typical old drunk guy thinking he's casanova.

"Just meeting a friend, he should be here any minute thanks." I twisted my body away from him a bit but still caught his eyes lingering down my body in a repulsive way.

"Oh sugar, I could be a great friend to you," he drawls.

That phrase sets me completely on edge and it takes every ounce of control not to loose my shit on him. He may be drunk but he doesn't deserve to be knocked out for calling me sugar. I spin to tell him off but am cut off.

"She has plenty of friends already," a large ebony man with stunning crystal blue eyes cuts in. Instantly I recognize the green Guardian uniform and relax.

To the drunk mans credit he didn't push his luck any further. "Miss." He nodded before retreating back to his booth.

"Mack's right, you do have a thing for trouble," he laughs taking a seat. The waitress drops off my toast and brings him a coffee. He flashes her a million dollar smile which earns a flustered blush as she hurries off.

"Strange company you keep," he finally says.

"What can I say, I fed a puppy one day and ended up with his whole family," I chuckled nervously. I felt him studying me intensely as I picked at my toast.

He was very similar to the other Guardians I have met, though very tall and maybe leaner then even Dex. I can feel the power radiating from him, it's not as well hidden as Derek's. But he also has a calming, grounded feel to him.

"So why Derek?" He asks with an edge of disdain.

My gut twists on the dangerous topic as I pick a safer direction. "He's my mates brother," I say as nonchalantly as I can.

"Then why isn't Chris escorting you, and why the dead of night?" He questions raising a brow.

My gut twists painfully as he brought the conversation back deep in dangerous territory. I grip the counter to keep myself still. "What's wrong?" he asks, with an air of concern bringing more pain.

"I can't, please stop," I grit out.

His hand wraps around my wrist setting my panic off before a warmth quells it as the pain in my gut relents. My eyes snap to his as I calm back down.

"Better?" He asks softly. I nod and he releases my wrist. "I guess we better hit the road then." He stands and puts a twenty on the counter before gesturing for me to lead the way.

We make our way back to the parking lot where a sleek black crotch rocket is parked next to Jace's white one.

"I was expecting something different when Mack told me you'd likely be on a bike," he says teasingly. "Sorry Jess, I'm Damon, that guy kind of ruined the introductions."

I shake his hand. "Yeah not my style but it was the only free option and I didn't have time to be picky." After fuelling up at a near by gas station we hit the road for a four hour trip to Lunar Falls territory, and hopefully my release.